GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
TITLE: VEHICLE STOPS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
Embedded Files
VEHICLE STOPS
506.1 PURPOSE
The objective of this policy is to establish a framework for law enforcement officers that outlines the appropriate approach and safe stopping of motorists while maintaining the highest level of professionalism. By creating a set of guidelines, officers can ensure that the safety of both themselves and motorists is prioritized during these interactions. It is essential that officers adhere to these guidelines to promote a culture of safety and professionalism within the law enforcement community.
506.2 POLICY
The policy of this agency is to conduct motor vehicle stops with the utmost professionalism and courtesy. Our primary objective is to promote public education on appropriate driving procedures. In addition, we are committed to minimizing risks and hazards associated with motor vehicle stops for all officers, motorists, and other road users. Our dedication to ensuring safe and informed practices is of paramount importance.
506.3 TYPES OF TRAFFIC STOPS
(a) Traffic Violation Stop - A stop made because an Officer has probable cause to believe that the driver committed a traffic infraction.
(b) Investigative Stop - A stop made because an Officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that one or more of the vehicle's occupants has engaged in or isabout to engage in criminal activity.
(c) High-Risk Stop- A stop in which an Officer has reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a warrant and reason to believe that one or more of the occupants of the vehicle may be a threat to the Officer.
506.4 PROCEDURES
506.4.1 BASIS FOR STOPPING MOTOR VEHICLES
(a) Officers shall have legal justification to stop a motor vehicle. This may include the commission of a traffic violation or reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activity.
(b) Officers are prohibited from stopping vehicles when the stop is based solely on the occupant's race, ethnicity, sex, or similar distinction.
(c) A motor vehicle may be stopped for only a period of time that is reasonable to issue a citation, conduct criminal investigations, or conduct other legitimate law enforcement business.
506.4.2 STOPPING AND APPROACHING TRAFFIC VIOLATORS
When an Officer has decided to conduct a traffic stop, they SHALL:
(a) If available, activate their in-car and body-worn cameras.
(b) The officer shall, before the stop, if possible, notify communications personnel of the following information :
the stop location,
a description of the vehicle,
When possible, the vehicle tag number and the number of occupants prior to approaching the vehicle.
(c) Additional information may be exchanged at the officer's discretion or communications request.
(d) To minimize the hazard to officers and other roadway users, all motor vehicle stops shall be given the same attention and degree of caution. This includes the avoidance of inadequate areas to stop, poor lighting, high traffic speeds, and improper vehicle placement, as prescribed by agency policy and training.
(e) Once the decision to conduct a motor vehicle stop has been made, the officer should select a location that will allow him or her to effectively and safely interact with the motorist.
(f) When exiting the patrol vehicle, the officer should be particularly alert to furtive movements or actions of the driver or passengers. Officers should request backup, where possible, when engaging in a motor vehicle stop that appears suspicious or unnecessarily hazardous.
(g) If necessary for safety, the driver and any or all passengers may be ordered out of or directed to remain in the vehicle.
(h) When engaging motorists outside of the vehicle, the officer and other parties should be positioned to the side of the road, clear of motor vehicles. At no time should the officer or others stand in front of, between, or behind the stopped vehicles.
(i) Unless exigent circumstances exist, Motorists should not routinely be permitted to sit in patrol vehicles while citations are being prepared or other law enforcement business is being conducted.
(j) If probable cause is established to search the vehicle, the belongings of passengers may be searched, provided that the belongings aid in establishing a nexus/link between the evidence and location of the search and are capable of concealing the type of object for which officers have probable cause to search the vehicle for.
(k) Where fruits or instrumentalities of a crime are uncovered during the search of a vehicle, the driver and any and all passengers may be arrested. In order to do so, the officer must have probable cause to believe that such passengers had common knowledge of and control over the illegal items or evidence or were engagedin a common enterprise with the driver to conceal the fruits or evidence of a crime.
(l) Non-uniformed officers operating unmarked police vehicles equipped with discrete emergency lights and sirens shall contact/radio communications to request a marked patrol unit to assist with the stop, depending upon the urgency of the situation, officer safety and/or when any circumstance should necessitate the presence of a marked patrol unit and/or a uniformed officer for L.E. confirmations purposes.
(m) Non-uniformed officers operating vehicles not equipped with emergency lights or sirens shall not make motor vehicle stops unless there is imminent danger of loss of life if they do not act. In cases that otherwise require attention, officers shall contact the communications center, request that a marked patrol vehicleperform the stop, and assist in directing the marked unit to the subject vehicle's location.
506.4.3 MAKING HIGH-RISK VEHICLE STOPS
When an officer initiating a vehicle stop has reason to believe that the occupants may be armed and dangerous, the officer should:
(a) not individually initiate the high-risk vehicle stop unless backup units will not be available in an appropriate amount of time or the urgency of the situation demands immediate action;
(b) and signal the suspect to stop after selecting an appropriate location with adequate support units in position.
(c) The officer shall then follow agency training for vehicle positioning and the removal and securing of occupants.
506.4.4 COMMUNICATION DURING TRAFFIC STOPS
Many individuals form their perceptions of law enforcement based on brief encounters with officers during motor vehicle stops. Therefore, officers should adopt a customer service and educational approach when dealing with motorists. Officers should:
(a) introduce themselves and the law enforcement agency that they work for;
(b) specify the reason for making the vehicle stop and solicit the necessary documents;
(c) be courteous and respectful;
(d) use command presence as compared to an aggressive or condescending approach, tone of voice, or facial expressions;
(e) provide the motorist with any information deemed appropriate to educate rather than lecture them about the infraction; and
(f) ask if there are any questions concerning court dates and similar issues.
506.5 VEHICLE SEARCHES PURSUANT TO TRAFFIC STOP
All searches by this department will comply with relevant federal and state laws governing the search and seizure of persons and property. Searches shall also follow the departments' Search and Seizure policy.
A lone officer SHALL NOT conduct a search unless an exigent circumstance exists. A cover officer should be positioned to ensure safety and should not be involved in the search.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse